i< 


Mb.     S  P  R  0  U  TT's 


FUNERAL  DISCOURSE 


ON    THE    DEATH    OF   THE 


Revd.  GEORGE  WHITEF1ELD,   A.  M. 


WHO    DEPARTED    THIS    LIFE    AT 


Vewlury-Porti  in  New- England,  September^  ijjo, 


AGED      56. 


•:w&-'£ztmr* 


1 


L 


M      - 


■DISCOURSE, 

OCCASIONED 

By  the  Death  of  the  Reverend 

■george  whitefield,  a.m.I 

BHr    .^  _     /->! I    •  .       ^  .       .  1    .     -r»  •     i    .     t  t i   i           t 

Late  Chaplain   to  the  Right  Honourable  th 
COUNTESS  of  HUNTINGDON ; 


Xwv/X 


DELIVERED     Odober  14,  1770, 

[in  the  Second  Prefbyterian  Church,  in| 
the  City  of  Philadelphia, 

,  B  Y 

JAMES    SPROUTT,    A.M. 

Paftor  of  faid  Church. 


PHILADELPHIA: 

?rinted  and  Sold  by  W.  and  T.  Bradford,  at  tht\ 
London  Coffee- Houfe. 


M.DCC.LXXI 


ADVERTISEMENT. 


ON  the  Thurfday  preceding  the  deli- 
very of  this  Sermon,  the  Seflion  and 
Committee  of  the  Church  fignified  to  the 
author,  their  deiire  that  a  difcourfe  on 
the  occafion^  might  be  prepared  for  the 
enfuing  Sabbath ;  and  the  Church  be  put 
into  mourning. — Alfo  at  their  defire  and 
expence  the  bells  of  Chrift's  Church,  in 
this  city,  were  rung  muffled.  The  Con- 
gregation, at  their  annual  Meeting,  January 
iff,  1771,  requefled  a  copy  of  the  Sermon 
for  publication. 


t 


Discourse, 


Acts 


XI. 


24. 


For  he  was  a  good  man,  and  full  of  the  Holy  Ghoft, 
and  of  faith,  and  much  'people  was  added  unto  the 
Lord. 

THE  occafion  of  the  words  now  read  to  you 
was  this  :  The  Apoftles  and  Brethren  who 
were  in  Judea  having  heard  that  the  Gentiles 
had  alio  received  the  word  of  God  *,  they  who  were 
of  the  circumcifion  contended  with  Peter,  when  he 
came  up  to  Jerufalem,  accufing  him  for  going  in  to 
men  that  were  uncircumciled,  affociating  and  eating 
with  them.  Peter  owns  the  fact,  rehearfes  the  mat- 
ter from  the  beginning  in  proper  order  unto  them, 
and  pleads,  for  his  juftification,  a  remarkable  vifion 
he  had  from  the  1  ,ord  in  the  city  of  Joppa.  A  full 
explanation  of  this  vifion,  and  an  account  of  the 
plentiful  effufion  of  the  Holy  Gholt  at  Cefaria,  when 
Peter  began  to  fpeak  to  Cornelius  and  his  company, 

A  2  being 


(•4     ) 

being  laid  before  the  Apoftles  and  Brethren,  they 
were  entirely  iatisfied,  and  glorified  God  j  faying, 
',*  /Then  hath  God  alfo  to  the  Gentiles  granted  repent- 
ance unto  life."  Now  this  being  effected,  and  a  door 
opened  unto  the  Gentiles  to  receive  the  gofpel,  certain 
perfons  who  had  been  difperfed  by  the  periecution 
that  arofe  about  Stephen,  went  every  where  preac  hing 
the  word  :  Some  of  them  travelled  as  far  as  Phenice* 
and  Cyprus,  and  Antioch,  preaching  the  word  to  none, 
but  unto  the  Jaws,  only  :  Some  of  them  were  men 
of  Cyprus  anjd  Cyrene  ;  who,  when  they  were  come  to 
Antioch,  fpake  to  the  Grecians  alfo,  preaching  the 
Lord  Jefus.  And  the  hand  of  the  Lord  was  with 
them  :  And  a  great  number  believed,  and  turned  to 
the  Lord.  Tidings  of  thefe  things  came  to  the  ears 
oi  the  Church,  which  was  at  Jerufalem ;  and  they 
fent  forth  Barnabas^  an  eminent  minifter  of  the  word, 
and  truly  a  fon  of  confolation  (as  his  name  fignifics*) 
that  he  fhouki  go  as  far  as  Antioch :  Who,  when  he 
came,  and  had  Teen  the  grace  of  God,  was  glad,  and 
exhorted  them  all  that  with  purpole  of  heart,  they 
would  cleave  unto  the  Lord.-  -An  agreeable  gra- 
dation here  ieems  worthy  of  notice  :  He  came— 
he  faw — he  rejoiced — and  exhorted  them  all  that, 
with  purpofe  ot  heart,  they  would  cleave  unto  the 
Lord.  This  narrative  introduces  the  words  of  our 
text,  which  give  us  the  character  of  this  moft  ex- 
cellent fervant  of  the  Lord  Jefus  Chrift,  with  an 
account  of  the  glorious  fuccefs  he  had  in  his  minifte- 
rial  teftimony  foF  him.  For  be  was  a  good  man,  and 
full  of  the  Holy  Ghoft  and  of  faith  :  And  much  people 
was  added  unto  the.  Lord, 

By  a  good  man  fome  feem  to  underftand,  a  man 
of  a  fweet,  kind  and  benevolent  difpofition.  But 
I  am  rather  incliaed  to  think  that,  by  a  goodmar^ 

m 

•  A«5t$  iv.  2$. 


(    5    ) 

in  this  paffage  of  fcripture,  is  to  be  underftood  an 
holy  man  \  a  man,  who  is  conformed  to  God  in  heart 
and  life,  by  the  power  of  divine  Grace.  This  ex- 
planation appears  to  be  confirmed  by  what  is  added 
in  the  text :  He  vjas  a  good  man,  end  full  of  the  Holy 
Ghcfi  and  of  faith.  Thefe  feem  to  be  characters  made 
life  of,  to  point  out  wherein  his  holintfs  and  goodneis 
confined  in  an  eminent  manner. 

Among  all  the  characters  given  to  the  chrldren  of 
men,  this  of  a  good  man,  as  now  explained,  is,  by 
itfelf,  the  mod  excellent,  and  that  which  excites  the 
greateft  confidence  :  For  fcarcely  for  a  righteous  man 
will  one  die ;  yet  pr  adventure  for  a  good  man  fome 
would  even  dare  to  die,"  §  This  was  the  character  of 
Barnabas,  that  fon  of  confolation.  He  was  a  good 
man,-— eminently—uncommonly  fo.  For  he  was/#// 
of  the  Holy  Ghoft,  and  of  faith.- -The  Holy  Ghoft 
dwelt  in  him  in  a  very  remarkable  manner,  in  its 
gracious,  fanclifying,  comforting  and  quickening 
influences ;  fo  that  with  the  greateft  propriety  it 
might  be  laid,  he  was/«//  of  the  Holy  Ghoft.  \I  fay 
nothing  of  the  miraculous  influences  of  the  fpirit  -9 
for  I  think  thefe,  by'themielves,  are  not  certain  ot 
diftinguilhing  characienftics  of  a  good  man  in   the 

fenfe  we  underftand  the  text. And  he  was  full 

of  faith.  Not  only  had  he  faith  that  was  genuine, 
juftifying  and  faving  \  but  he  had  it  in  a  high  de- 
grve,--in  fuch  an  eminent  manner,  that  it  might 
properly  be  faid  of  him,  in  this  refpecl  alfo,  that  he 
was  full  of  faith.  By  thefe  graces  of  the  Holy  Spirk, 
which  dwelt  in  him  richly,  he  became  zealoufly  en- 
gaged in  the  great  work  of  the  gofpel  mlniftry,  and 

was  admirably  qualified  for  it And  it  pleafed  God 

to  crown  his  labours  in  the  gofpel  with  glorious  fu£- 
cefs,    giving  him  many  early  feals  of  his  mini  (try. 

For 

|  Rom.  v,  > 


(     6     ) 

For,  in  this  tour  to  Antioch,  much  "people  was  added 
to  the  Lord.  Many  fouls  were  fo  effectually  wrought 
upon  by  the  power  ot  divine  grace,  as  10  be  con- 
vinced of  the  truth  of  the  chnftian  doctrine,  and 
difpofed  from  the  heart  chearfully  to  embrace  it  •,  by 
which  they  were  happily  delivered  from  the  power 
of  darknefs,  and  tranflated  into  the  kingdom  of  Goa's 
dear  fon.  Here  you  (tc  an  inftrumenc  raifed  up  by 
God  wonderfully  qualified  for,  and  remarkably  fuc- 
ceeded  in,  the  bufinefs  of  gathering  a  plentiful  harveft 
of  immortal  fouls  to  the  Lord  Jefus  Chrift.  A 
character  this,  vaftly  more  glorious  than  that  of 
erecting  kingdoms,  founding  empires,  and  by  fword 
and  arms  arriving  to  universal  monarchy  :  For  the 
lacred  oracles  declare,  7 hey  that  be  wi/e  Jhall Jhine  as 
the  brightness  of  the  firmament,  and  they  that  turn  many 
to  rightecnfnefsy  as  the  Jiars  for  ever  and  ever,  f 

In  further  difcourfing  on  this  fubject,  I  propofe 
more  particularly  to  confider, 

The  perfonal  character  of  this  fervant  of  God  and 
minifter  of  the  word  : 

Take  notice  of  the  fuccefs  with  which  God  ho- 
noured him  in  his  miniftry  :    And, 

Conclude  with  fome  reflections   excited  by  the 
prefent  mournful  occafion. 

I  am  now  in  the  firft  place,  more  particularly  to 
confider  the  perfonal  character  of  this  fervant  of  God, 
and  minifter  of  the  word. 

He  was  a  good  man  :  that  is,  an  holy  man,  as  hath    i 
been  obferved.      There  may  be  men  of  very  great 
powers  of  mind;    wife  ftatei'men,    deep  politicians, 

great 

f  Daniel  iii.  3. 


(     7    ) 

great  fcholars  ;  of  vaft  acquirements,  and  .fhining 
accomplifhm.  nts.  Yet  thefe  may  not  be  good  men. 
They  may  be  deftitute  of  all  real  holineis ;  or  any 
true  conrbrmicy  to  God  in  heart  and  life.  The  heart 
is  the  frat  of  all  real  religion.  Faith  and  repentance 
that  are  not  feated  in  the  heart  are  of  no  avail  in 
God's  account.  It  belongs  to  the  character  of  a 
good  man  that  his  heart  is  right  in  the  fight  of  God. 
Without  this  rectitude  of  heart,  which  is  only  effect- 
ed by  the  power  of  divine  grace,  he  cannot  be  deno- 
minated a  good  man,  in  God's  view,  who  fees  things 
as,  in  reality,  they  are.  1  his  is  the  doctrine  infifted 
upon  bv  our  Lord  and  Saviour  JVtus  Chrift  :  Either 
make  the  tree  good, '  and  its  fruit  good  ;  or  elfe  make  the 
tree  corrupt,  and  its  fruit  co  rupt  :  Jcr  the  tree  is  known 
by  its  fruit.  *  Naturally  men  are  exceeding  bad,  and 
amazingly  corrupt  ♦,  their  hearts  are  full  of  all  man- 
ner of  wickedheis ;  yea,  they  are  deceitful  above  all 
things  and  defperately  wicked.  §  This  is  the  repre- 
.  ion,  by  God  himieif,  of  the  exceeding  wicked- 
neis  of  the  heart,  That  every  imagination  of  the  thoughts 
of  his  heart  was  only  evil  continually,  -f-  And  the 
A  oitle  txprefsly  declares  that  'The  carnal  mind  is  en- 
mity agahft  God,  not  fubjetl  to  his  law,  nor  indeed  can 
be.  J  In  order  therefore  for  men's. becoming  good 
men,  their  hearts  muft  be  changed  by  the  effectual 
Operations  of  the  Holy  Spirit  of  God  :  They  muLt  be 
regenerated.  This  is  a  do£bnne  not  only  repeate  ily 
taught  in  the  Holy  Scriptures  •,  but  a  doctrine  that 
our  Lord  maintained  in  his  difcourfe  with  Rabbi 
Nicodemus,  when  he  unfolded  its  nature,  and  urged 
its  necefiity  in  the  ftrongeft  terms' f  This  was  the 
character  of  Barnabas  :  He  was  a  good  man  -,  in- 
wardly holy,  and  at  heart  upright. 

It 

*  Matt,  xn    33,  \  Rom.  viii.  7. 

§  Jer.  xvii.  9.  «J  John  iii.     3.  4.  5. 

•f-  Gen.  vi.  5. 


(     8     ) 

It  belongs  to  the  character  of  a  good  man  that  he- 
not  only  is  poffefTed  with  an  holy  principle,  but  that 
he  is  alio  engaged  in  an  holy  practice.  i  his  will  as 
naturally  flow  irom  a  truely  fanctified  heart ;  as  wood 
fruit  will  grow  upon  a  good  tree,  or  the  dreams  of 
water  gently  glide  from  a  living  fpring.  Time  and 
opportunity  may  not  be  allowed  to  every  good  man, 
whofe  heart  is  right  with  God,  to  perform  a  lcries  of 
obedience  to  the  commands  of  his  maker,  as  in  the 
cafe  of  the  thief  upon  the  crois.  But  this  is  the  ge- 
nuine and  natural  effect  •,  and,  time  and  opportunity 
being  allowed,  it  will  be  the  neceifary  conlequence 
of  the  heart's  being  fet  right  with  God  by  the  power 
of  divine  grace.  Hence  it  is  that  an  holy  practice, 
a  fleady  courfe  of  obedience  to  all  God's  commands, 
is  con  dandy  made  the  finifliing  character  of  a  good 
man  in  the  facred  pages.  This  is  the  love  cfGod,  that 
we  keep  his  commandment  sy  and  his  commandments  are 
not  grievous.  *  Hence,  fays  our  Lord,  Then  are  ye 
my  difciples  indeed,  if  ye  do  whatever  T  command  you.  § 
And,  Herein  is  my  Father  glorified^  that  yi  hear  much 
fruit ;  fo  fhallye  be  my  difciples.  -\ 

Hence  it  appears  that  an  holy  heart,  and  an  holy 
life  ;  or  good  principles,  and  a  good  practice,  are 
eflential  to  the  character  of  a  good  man.  This  is  one 
part  of  the  perfon  1  character  of  that  eminent  fen  ant 
of  God  in  the  words  of  our  text,     tie  was  a  good 

MAN. 

Another  thing  that  belonged  to  his  character* 
was,  that  he  was  full  of  the  Holy  Ghoft.  Every  rood 
man  hath  the  Holy  Ghoft,  in  fome  good  meaiure, 
dwelling  in  him.  But  as  there  are  degrees  of  good- 
nefs,  fo  there  are  degrees  of  the  Holy  Ghoft,  as  to 
its  facred  in-dwelling.     Every  good  man  hath  a  mea- 

fure 

•  i.  John  v.  j.        §  John  viii.  gt.        f  John  xv.  3. 


(     9     ) 

fore  of  it ;  but  feme  good  men  have  a  much  greater 
meafure  than  others.  Thus  it  was  with  Barnabas: 
He  was  full  of  the  Holy  Ghoft  :  The  Holy  Ghoft: 
had  not  only  taken  up  its  blerkrd  refidence  in  his 
heart ;  but  dwelt  there  in  a  moil  plentiful  manner 
by  its  facrcd  influences. 

He  was   full   of  the  Holy  Ghoft  as  a  fpring  and 
principle  of  fpiritual  life  and  aclion.      He   had   in  a 
molt   plentiful  manner    drank    of    the  water  which 
Chrift  moll  liberally  gives  to  dry  and   thirfty  fouls  ; 
and  it  became  in  him  a  well  of  living  water  fp ring- 
ing up  to  everlafting  life.*     1  his  indwelling  of  the 
Holv  Spirit,  as  a  principle  and  fountain  of  fpiritual 
life. and  aclion,  is  admirably  defcribed   by  our  Lord 
himielf  under  the    metaphor  of  water  in   this    mod 
affeclionate  language  :  In  the  loft  day,  that  great  day 
of  the  feaft,  Jefus  flood,  and  cried,  frying,  if  any  man 
thirft,  let  hhn  come  unto  me  end  drink.      He  that  be- 
lievetb  on  me\  as  the  fcriplure  hath  ftud,  cut  of  his  belly 
Jhall  flow  rivers  of  living  water  :    But  this  fpake  he  of 
the  Spirit,  which  they  that  believe  on  him  fhould  receive  \ 
for  the  Holy  Ghoft  was  rot  yet  given,  bscaufe  that  Jefus 
was  not  yet  glorified,  f    The  nature,  origin  and  influ- 
ence ot  the  Holy  Spirit,  .as  a  divine  principle  of  ipi- 
ntual   life   in   the  fouls  of   the  children  of  men,  is 
elegantly  defcribed  by  the  Apoftle  James,  under  the 
name  of  wifdom  :  That  zvifdom  that  is  from  above,  is, 
fly ft  pure,  then  peaceable,  gentle  and  eafy  to  be  intreatcd% 
full  of  mercy  a*d  good  fruits  \  without  partiality,  and 
without  hypocrify.  J 

He  was  full  of  the  Holy  Ghoft  as  a  divine  teacher, 
to  teach,  inftrucl:  and  guide  into  all  truth  neceffary 
for  the  adv  ncement  of  the  divine  life,  and  obtaining 
eternal  falvation.      If  we    confider  Barnabas  as   an 

B  infpired 

*  John  iv.  ii.         -j-  John  vii.  37,  38,  39,  \  James  iii.  17- 


(     io     ) 

infpired  perfon,  and  as  one  who  had  the  power  of 
working  miracles  ->  as  many,  befides  the  Apoftles, 
Jiad  in  the  early  ages  of  chriftianity-,  in  thefe  refpects, 
the  blefjfed  Spirit  was  with  him  in  an  extraordinary 
manner  •,  in  a  manner  peculiar  to  the  Apoftolic  age. 
Bur  the  Holy  Spirit  dwelt  in  him  alfo  as  a  divine 
teacher,  to  open  and  apply  revealed  truths  to  his 
mind  ;  and  to  teach  him  the  undoubted  certainty 
of  the  great  doctrine  of  finners  falvation  by  the  me- 
diatorial undertaking  of  the  Lord  Jefus  Chi  'ft.  Con- 
fonant  to  the  promife  of  our  Saviour :  Thefe  things 
hrve  Tfpoken  unto  you,  being  yet  prefent  with  you  :  But 
the  comforter,  which  is  the  Holy  Gh oft  whom  the  Father 
will  fend  in  rny  name,  he  /hall  teach  you  all  things,  and 
bring  all  things  to  your  remembrance,  what fo ever  1  have 
faid  to  you*  The  divine  Spirit,  in  its  ordinary 
teachings,  doth  not  bring  new  truths  into  the  mind 
that  are  not  contained  in  the  fcriptures  •,  but  opens 
and  applies  the  truths  therein  revealed  :  Then  opened 
he  their  under  ft  anding,  that  they  might  under  ft  and  the 
fcrip  ures.  f  In  this  way,  douhtlcf ,  the  H>ly  Ghoil 
dwells  in  all  true  chriftians,  to  inllrudb  and  teach 
them  in  a  moft  comfortable  and  gracious  manner. 

Bar#abas  was  full  of  the  Holy  Ghoft  :  It  dwelt 
in  him,  in  an  eminent  manner,  as  a  fpirit  of  prayer 
and  fupplication.  He  was  delivered  from  the  fpirit 
of  bondage,  and  had  received  the  fpirit  of  adop- 
tion, whereby  he  cried  Abba,  Father  :  For  ye  have 
net  received  the  fpirit  of  bondage  again  unto  fear  :  Bui 
ye  have  received  the  fpirit  of  adoption,  by  which  we 
cry,  Abba,  Father. J  The  indwelling  of  the  fpirit, 
as  a  fpirit  of  adoption,  of  grace  and  fupplication,  is 
a  Decuiiar  blefling  that  belongs  to  every  real  chriftian. 
No  fooner  had  the  bleffed  Spirit  taken  full  poffcfii  >n 
of  the  heart  of  Paul,  than  ir  was  laid  of  him,  Be- 
hold 

*  John  xiv.  zs>  *6>        t  Luke  xxir.  »s,        f  &om«  viii.  is 


(  II  ) 

hold  he  prayeth.  *  Likewife  The  fpirit  alfo  help  th  our 
infirmities  :  For  we  know  not  what  to  pro.y  'or  as  -ue 
ought;  but  the  fpirit  it f elf  mak\h  inter  cefjion  for  US, 
with  groanings  which  cannot  be  utter  c'.f  By  the  fpirit 
of  grace  and  fuppftcation  that  dwelt  in  this  excellent 
fervant  of  Chrijl,  in  a  remarkable  manner,  h.-  had 
accefs  to  God  in  prayer,  with  boldnefs  and  confi- 
dence, through  the  blood  of  Jefus; — he  cane  boldly 
to  the  throne  of  grace  ;  and  was  not  only  like  a 
wreftling  Jacob,  but  like  a  prevailing  Ifrael,  by  the 
Spirit  that  dwelt  in  him. 

Barnabas  was  alfo  full  of  the  Holy  Ghofl:,  in  a 
very  high  degree,  as  a  fpirit  of  confolation.  We 
read  of  the  comfort  of  the  Holy  Ghoft  :  J  This  is  that 
divine  and  heavenly  comforter,  which  our  com- 
panionate Saviour  promiied  to  fend  to  his  difciples, 
to  be  a  conftant  affociate  with  them,  upon  his  depar- 
ture from  them.  For  thus  kindly  he  addrefies  tn- m 
upon  this  important,  end  vaftly  interefting  fubjeifih 
7/  is  expedient  for  you  that  I  go  away  ;  for,  if  I  go  not 
away,  the  comforter  will  not  come  unto  you :  But  if 
I  depart,  I  will  fend  him  unto  ycu.  §  And  I  will 
pray  the  Father,  and  he  jkall  give  you  ancthef*  cc?n- 
forter,  that  he  may  abide  with  you  for  ever ;  -  ven  the 
fpirit  of  truth,  whom  the  world  cannot  r  ceive,  beccufe 
it  feeth  him  not,  neither  knoweth  him :  But  ye  know  ! 
for  he  dwelleth  with  you,  and /ball  be  in  ycu.  |!  i 
as  a  fpirit  of  confolation  the  Holy  Ghoit  dwelt  in 
B.rnabas  in  a  very  plentiful  meafure. 

He  was  alfo  full  of  the  Holy  Ghoft  as  a  fpirit  of 

fanclification.     He  was,  indeed,  chofen   unto   falva- 

tion  through  fanctifkation  or  the  Spirit,  and  belief 

•  of  the  truth. \    By  the  Holy  Spirit  dwelling  in  him, 

in  its  fanflifying  influences,  he  was  enabled  tc  grow 

B  2  in 

*  A£b  \jl.  ii,  f  Rom.  viii.  16.  \  AdH  ix.  31. 

§  John  xvi.  7.  jj  John  xiv.  16,  !>  %  i  J'heiV.  >i.  :?. 


(    ii    ) 

jn  grace,  and  make  advances  in  a  divine  life  -,--  to 
die  to  fin,  and  to  live  to  God  •,- -through  the  fofrit 
to  mortify  the  lulls  and  corruptions  of  the  fiefh  ;  and 
to  put  oft  the  oL;  man,  with  all  its  corrupt  affections, 
day  by  day  ;  and  put  on  the  new  man,  which,  after 
God,  is  created  in  righteoufnefs  and  true  holinefs. 

The  Koiy  Ghoft  alfo  dwelled  in  Barnabas,  to  wit- 
nefs  to  his  adoption  ;  and  as  an  earneil  and  ioretafte 
of  the  heavenly  inheritance.  ITius  faith  the  divinely 
infpired  Apoflle-,  The  Spirit  it f elf  alfo,  beareth  witnefs 
with  our  Spirit,  that  we  are  the  children  of  Gcd.  slnd, 
if  children,  then  heirs  ;  heirs  of  God,  and  joint  heirs 
with  Chrifi.  *  Tv  the  fame  purpofe,  the  fame  Apoftle 
fpekks  in  his  epiftle  to  the  Lphefians  -,  In  whom  alfo, 
after  ye  believed*  ye  were  fealed  with  the  holy  fpirit  of 
promife,  which  is  the  earnefi  of  our  inheritance,  until 
the  redemption  of  the  pur  chafed  poffefjicn,  to  the  praife  cf 
his  glory.  -J- 

Thus,  yon  fee,  as  he  was  a  good  man',  fo  he  was 
full  of  the  Holy  Ghoil  :  It  dwelt  in  him  in  thefe  va- 
rious cefpects,  in  an  high  degree,  and  very  plentiful 
meafure. 

It  alfo  belonged  to  the  perfonal  character  of  this 
fervant  of  God,  and  minifter  of  Chriit,  that  He  was 
full  of  faith.  He  had  that  faith  which  was  true 
and  genuine  ;  that  faith  which  is  the  fubftance  of 
things  hoped  for,  and  the  evidence  of  things  not 
feen;  §  yea,  the  precious  faith  of  God's  elect.  And 
he  had  it  in  a  plentiful  meafure  •,  in  an  high  degree: 
Pie  was  flrong  in  the  faith,  giving  glory  to  God. 
By  faith  he  was  enabled  to  receive  the  chriRian  doc- 
trine as  a  mod  glorious  reality,  not  as  the  word  of 
man,  but  as  in  truth  the  word  of  God,  which  ef- 
fectually 

t  Rom.  viii.  16.   17.  J  Ephcf.  i.   13.  §  Hcb.  xi.  j. 


(    H   ) 

feclually  worketh  in  them  that  believe:*— By  faith 
he  was  enabled  to  receive  the  Lord  Jefus  Chrifb  in 
ail  his  fatred  characters,  and  faving  offices,  as  he  is 

J   in   the  gofpel : By  faith,    he  was 

enabied  to  commit  his  precious  foul,  with  all  its 
invaluable  intersfts,,  and  eternal  concerns  to  his  di- 
vine Saviour;  and  could  doubtlefs  fay  with  the  great 
Apoftle,  I  know  in  whom  I  have  believed,  and  am 
perfuaded  that  he  is  able  to  keep  that,  which  I  have 
committed  unto  him,  againft  that  day.§  — By  faith > 
he  was  enabled  to  fly  for  refuge,  and  lay  hold  on  the 
onlv  hope  fee  before  him  in  the  goipel ;  f  putting 
his  trull  and  confidence,  only,  in  the  meritorious 
righteouinefs  of  Chrift  for  juftification:  And  to  count 
ail  things  but  lois  for  the  excellency  of  the  knowledge 
of  Chritt  his  Lord,  that  he  might  win  him  and  be 
found  in  him,  not  having  his  own  righteoufnefs, 
which  is  of  the  law  •,  but  that,  which  is  through  the 
faith  of  Chriit  •,  the  righteoufnefs,  which  is  of  God, 
by  faith.  J  Barnabas  was  full  of  faith.  And,  as  by 
faith,  he  received  Chrift  the  Lord  ;  fo,  by  faith  in 
the  Son  of  God,  who  loved  him,  and  gave  himfelf 
for  him,  he  lived  that  painful,  laborious,  felf-denying 
life,  which  he  lived  in  the  flefh.  ||  His  faith  was  not 
a  dead  faith  ;  but  a  lively,  active,  vigorous  principle. 
It  worked  by  love  ;  purified  the  heart ;  overcame  the 
world  •,  and  was  productive  of  chearful  obedience  to 
all  the  commands  of  his  Lord  and  Matter.  It  caufed 
him  to  endure  hardnefs  as  a  good  foldier  of  Chrift  ; 
and  not  to  count  his  life  dear,  that  he  might  finifh 
his  courfe,  and  fulfil  the  miniftry  that  he  had  re- 
ceived from  him. 

Thus,  you  fee  the  perfonal  character  of  this  emi- 
nent fervant  of  God,  and  minifter  of  Chrift  :  He  was 

a  good 

*  i  ThefT.  ii.  9.         §2  Tim.  i.  iz.         f  Heb.  vi  8. 
\  Fail.  iii.  8,  $.         j|   Gal.  ii.   »o. 


(     14     ) 

zgcodman,  end  full  of  the  Holy  Ghojl  and  of  faith. 
I  am  now  lead  to  confider  the  fuccefs  with  which  it 
pleaied  God  to  honour  him  in  his  miniftry. 

And  much  people  was  adaed  to  the  Lord, 

The  great  bufinefs  of  Barnabas,  as  a  gofpel  mi- 
niftcr,  was  to  cfpoufe  fouls  to  his  Lord  and  Mifter  ; 
and  to  build  them  up  in  holinefs  and  comfort  through 
fauii  un.o  falvation.  In  this  arduous  undertaking, 
and  mod  glorious  employment,  God  was  pleated 
greatly  to  honour  him  ♦,-  -much  people  was  added  to 
the  Lord  by  his  miniftry,  unto  whom  he  gave  the 
warmeft  exhortations,  that,  with  purpofe  of  heart, 
they  would  cleave  unto  him.  Satan's  kingdom,  by 
his  miniftry,  received  a  wonderful  (hock  :  Great 
numbers  of  immortal  fouls  were  turned  from  dark- 
nefs  to  light ;  delivered  from  the  power  of  Satan  -9 
and  transited  into  the  kingdom  cf  God's  dear  Son. 
Multitudes  were  encouraged,  comforted,  mightily 
ftrengthened,  greatlv  edified,  and  built  up  in  the 
moft  holy  faith,  by  his  miniftry.  God,  by  the  good 
fpirit,  accompanied  the  gofpel  which  he  diipenied 
with  an  overcoming  energy  •,  and  made  it  the  power 
of  God,  and  the  wiidom  of  God,  unto  the  falvation 
of  great  numbers  of  never-dying  fouls.  The  in- 
terring truths,  which  he  delivered,  concerning 
Chrift  and  his  great  falvation,  being  cloathed  with 
almighty  authority,  left  abiding  impreflions  upon 
the  hearts  and  confeiences  of  his  hearers.  By  his 
miniftry  fecure  finners  were  awakened  •,  hard  hearts 
were  broken  ;  ftubborn  wills  bowed ;  and  weary 
heavy  laden  finners  brought  to  clofe  in  with  £hrift, 
according  to  gofpel  offers  •,  and  found  reft  in  hinte 
according  to  gofpel  promifes.  Thefe,  indeed,  are? 
things  that  the  hearts  of  (Thrift's  true  mimfters  are 
much  fet  upon  •,  and  they  efteem  themfelves  honored 
by  God,  in  proportion  as  thefe  great  and   precious 

thin 


(     »5     ) 

things  are  effected  by  their  administrations.  By  this, 
they  judge  of  their  fuccefs  in  the  important  work  of 
the  gofpel  miniftry.  Some,  there  may  be,  who  mea- 
fure  their  fuccefs  according  to  the  number  of  profe- 
lites  they  gain  to  this,  that,  or  the  other  party,  or 
particular  denomination  of  Chriftians  :  But,  lure  I 
am,  that  the  fucceis  of  every  true  mimfter  of  Chrift 
will  be  meafured  according  to  the  number  of  fouls 
that  are  added  to  the  Lord-— built  up  in  faith  and  ho- 
linefs  ;  in  the  fear,  knowledge  and  love  of  God.  In 
this  way  God  greatly  honored  Barnabas,  one  of  the 
firft  minifteis  of  Chrift's  kingdom,  giving  him  many 
feals  of  his  miniftry,  and  many  fouls  for  the  crown 
of  his  rejoicing  in  the  day  of  the  Lord. 

From  what  has  been  faid  on  this  fubjeel,  we  may 
learn,  that  the  mofc  excellent  of  all  characters  that 
are  given  to  the  children  of  men,  is  that  of  a  gocd 
man:— -One  who  is  conformed  to  God  in  heart  and 
life.  This  being  our  true  character,  we  are  favorites 
of  the  glorious  God,  and  made  for  time  and  eternity  : 
Deftitute  of  this  whatever  our  characters  otherwife 
may  be,  we  are,  indeed,  in  a  mod  dangerous  and 
wretched  fituation  •,  and,  fo  continuing,  fhail  be 
miicrabie  for  ever  and  ever. 

From  what  has  been  faid  we  alfo  may  allure  our- 
felves,  that  there  is  fuch  a  thing  in  reality,  as  the  in- 
dwelling of  the  Holy  Ghoft  in  the  hearts  of  God's 
people  :  and  that  in  a  greater  or  lefler  degree,  it  is 
peculiar  to  every  real  chriftian  :  So  that  If  any  man 
have  not  the  Spirit  of  Chrift  he  is  none  of  his,  * 

We  may  alfo  infer  that  faith  is  a  mod  excellent 
grace  -y  and  that  it  hath  a  wonderful  influence  in  the 
commencement,    prpgrefs   and  completion   of    the 

evangelical 

•  Rom.  viii,  j, 


(     i6     > 

evangelical  divine  life  in  the  renewed  foul ;  fo  t\r<z 
the  chrillian,  the  good  man,  begins,  proiccutes,  and 
flnifhes  his  heavenly  courie  by  the  faith  of  the  Son 
of  God. 

FINALLY,  from  what  we  have  heard  concerning 
the  perfonal  virtues,  minifterial  accomplilhmerus, 
and  glorious  fuccefs  of  tha:  eminent  ion  of  coniola- 
tion  in  the  early  ages  of  chrittiamty,  1  beg  leave  to 
direct  your  meditations  to  the  perion,  character,  and 
m.niftry  of  a  late  eminent  and  very  iucceisful  minifter 
ofChrill:.  Your  thoughts,  I  doubt  not,  will  anti- 
cipate me  in  mentioning;  the  reverend  and  renowned 
GEORGE  WHITE  FIELD,  who  departed  this 
life  (according  to  our  public  accounts)  on  the  30th 
of  September  laif,  at  Newbury  Port,  in  the  Province 
of  Maflachufetts  Bay,  in  New- England,  by  a  fudden 
and  violent  fit  of  the  afthma. 

I  am  very  fcnfible,  my  brethren,  of  my  incapacity 
of  doing  juftice  to  the  memory  of  this  truly  gri  u, 
and  excellent  perfonage.  It  really  needs  a  genius  like 
his  own  ♦,  and  that  eloquence,  which  was  peculiar  to 
himfelf;  fully  to  delineate  his  character,  and  defcribe 
his  virtues.  I  know  not  one  character  in  the  facred 
pages,  in  which  there  is  a  greater  fimilarity,  than  the 
words  of  the  text.  He  was  a  good  man,  and  Fui.tf 
of  the  Holy  Ghost,  and  of  faith  :  And  much 
people  was  added  to  the  lord. 

As  to  his  perfon,  we  have  all  of  us  had  frequent 
opportunities  of  admiring  his  graceful  countenance 
and  manly  deportment-,  which  commanded  reverence 
and -n-i  peer, ;    excited  efteem  and  aileclion  ia  peribns 

of  every  rank  nnd  quality. His  birth,  parentage, 

and  education,  the  world  has  long  ago  been  favoured 
with  accounts   of,    in   his   printed  journals. —  He 

early 


(     i7     ) 

*  early  difcovered  a  fingolar  tafte  for  fcience,  joined 
with  a  fprightly  and  florid  genius.  His  education 
was  com  pleated   at  Oxford,  one  of  the  moil  illuitri- 

ous  univerfuies  in  Europe. -It  pleafed  God,  who 

defigned  him  for  very  great  and  eminent  fervices  in 
his  church,  early  to  change  his  heart  by  the  power 
of  Divine  grace  ;  and  by  a  thorough  and  remarkable 
converfion,  to  turn  him  from  darknefs  to  light,  and 
from  the  power  of  Satan  unto  God  •,  that  he  might 
receive  forgivenefs  of  fins,  and  an  inheritance  among 
them  that  are  fanclified  by  faith  which  is  in  Chrift 
Jefus.  Thus  all  the  powers  of  his  mind  became 
ftrongly  engaged  to  the  iludy  of  divinity.  The  im- 
portant doctrines  of  grace,  and  the  admirable  fcheme 
of  redemption  by  the  Lord  Jefus  Chrift  ; — the  con- 
demned, miferable  ftate  of  finners  •, — free  juftiflca- 
tion  by  the  imputed  righteoufnefs  of  Chrift  received 
by  faith  alone  •, — the  powerful  operations  of  the.  holy 
and  bleffed  Spirit  to  regenerate  and  fandify  the  hu- 
man heart,  were  iubje&s  of  his  moil  folemn  and  de- 
lightful contemplation.  Under  the  lively  impref- 
fions  of  thofe  things,  his  pious  heart  was  turned  to 
the  great  work  of  the  Goipel  miniftry.  In  this  im- 
portant bufinefs  he  engaged,  and  to  this  glorious 
work  he  devoted  himfelf,  as  foon  as  the  rules  of  that 
church,  of  which  he  was  a  member,  would  permit. 
Joeing  a  good  man,  and  full  of  the  Holy  Ghoft  and 
of  faith  -,  fired  with  a  flaming  zeal  for  his  Lord  and 
matter ;  filled  with  bowels  of  tender  compaflion  to 
immortal  fouls  ;  and  favoured  with  more  than  Cice- 
ronian eloquence  •, — he  foon  became  the  wonder  of 
the  world  as  a  preacher.  The  attention  of  perfons 
of  all  ranks,  feds  and  denominations,  was  attracted 
by  him  :  And  the  hand  of  the  Lord  was  with  him 
in  fuch  a  powerful  manner,  that  great  numbers  were 
prefent!)  joined  to  the  Lord  by  his  miniftry.  Tho' 
he  always  maniiefted  a  peculiar  regard  for  the  Church 

C  of 


(     x8     ) 

of  England,  in  which  he  had  been  educated  -,  yet  as 
he  fet  out  in  the  rniniftry  upon  principles  truly  ca- 
tholic  and   noble,  fo  he  Readily   and  vigorously  re- 
tained them  to   his  expiring  moments  :   PuiTuant  to 
thefe  principles  of  catholicifm,  he  was  determined  not 
to  know   any   thing  among  the   people,    but  jejus 
Chrift  and  him   crucified.     Upon    this   plan  he    let 
out  •,    and   upon   this   plan   he   profecuted  the  great 
work  of  preaching  the  gofpel  to   all  forts  of  people 
that  would  give  him  an  hearing:  To  Jews,  infidels, 
freethinkers,  as  well  as  to  all  denominations  of  chiif- 
tians  without  exception.     And  th;s  grand    bufincfs 
of  publishing  the  gofpel  of  peace  he  purfued   for  a 
great  number  of  years  with  the  molt  indefatigable 
alfiduity,   prodigious  eloquence,   and   flaming  zeal, 
through  England,  Scotland,  Ireland,  and    the.  widely 
extended  dominions  of  Britifo  America.    As  a  fpeaker, 
he  was  furniflied  with  fuch  admirable   talents,  w,th 
fuch  an  eafy  method  of  addrefs,  and  was  fuch  a  per- 
fect matter  of  the  art  of  perfuafion.  that   he  trium- 
phed over  the  paffions  of  the  moft  croucled  audito- 
ries, with  all  the  charms  of  fa c red  eloquence.   - —  He 
was  of  undaunted  courage  and  heroic  rtfolution,  in1 
the  caufe  of  his  divine  Matter.     Nor  the  frowns  nor 
the  flatteries  of  the  world  ;    with   all  its  intuits  and 
outrages,  its  allurements  or  charms,  could  ever  turn 
h;m  afide  from  endeavouring  to  win  immortal  fouls 
to  the  i  ord  Jefus  Chrift.     Mr.  White  ft  eld  was  not 
only  the  admiration  of  the  populace,  and  lower  clafTes 
of  mankind  ;    but  had   the   graces  of   fome  of  the 
principal  perfoliate   in    the  kingdom.     That  noble 
Lady  the  Countefs  of  Huntingdon  in  electing  him  for 
her  chaplain,  gave  an  evidence  of  her  diftinguifhing 
favor.      An  acl  this,  expreflive  of  the  religion   and 
piety  of  that  noble  Lady'*  heart!      Mr.  VVhi  iefield 
was  not  only  an  admirable,  zealous,  pathetic,  divine 
preacher ;    but  it  pleafcd   the  adorable  Jehovah  to 

crown 


(     19     ) 

crown  his  labors  with  uncommon  fuccefs.  I  doubt 
not  but  thoufands  now  in  the  church  triumphant, 
and  ten  thoufands  in  the  church  militant,  will  blefs 
God  to  eternity  for  all  the  benefits  they  have  re- 
ceived from  Mr.  White  field's  miniftry.  Much 
people  was  added  to  the  Lord  by  his  means  :  Com* 
panibns,  indeed,  are  odious  ;  but  probably  more 
than  by  any  one  man  fince  the  Apoffolic  age. — As 
to  his  perfonal  piety,  we  cannot  without  a  blufli, 
methinks,  admit  a  hefitation  concerning  his  real 
holinefs,  and  unfeigned  devotednefs  to  God.  Oh ! 
my  brethren  ;  he  was  truly  a  good  man,  eminently 
fo  -,  he  was  full  of  the  Holy  Ghofl  •,  and  full  of  faith: 
Yea  he  was  ftrong  in  the  faith,  giving  glory  to  God. 
In  adverfity  or  profperity  •,  in  fickneis  or  health  ;  he 

ftaggered    not   at    the    promifes. In    charity    he 

abounded.  Let  charity  be  defined  to  be  love  to 
God,  and  love  to  our  neighbor ;  or  let  it  be  con- 
sidered as  to  fome  of  its  important  exerciies  •,  luch 
as  tendernefs  of  fentiment  to  thofe  who  differ  from 
us  in  fome  points  not  efTential,  or  beftowing  alms 
and  relieving  the  miferable  •,•-- in  ail  thofe  ads  of 
charity,  he  was  fecond  to  none  in  the  compafs  of 
my  acquaintance  : — Let  his  holy  life  and  exemplary 
converfation  •,  his  fruitful  obedience  and  unwearied 
labours  teftify  his  love  to  God  : — Let  his  willingnefs 
to  ipend  and  be  fpent  for  the  falvation  of  fouls  wit ntfs 
his  love  to  man.  Let  the  Orphan-Houfe  in  Gecrgia  be 
as  a  monumental  pillar  of  his  ardent  love  to  his  fel- 
low creatures  in  mifery,  and  his  hearty  practical  defire 
to  relieve  their  diftreffes.  Yea,  let  the  multitudes 
on  this  continent,  fome  of  whom  are  now  in  eafy 
and  comfortable,  others  in  profperous  and  nourifh- 
ing  circumftances,  moftly  by  his  means,  rife  up,  and 
call  him  blefled. His  meekneft  and  humility  ap- 
peared in  his  being  deaf  to  all  the  applaufts  that  were 
io  liberally  bellowed  upon  him  on  both  fides  the  At- 
C  2  lantic; 


(       *0       ) 

lafitic-,  and  alfo  in  that,  when  he  was  mod  fhamefuliy 
vilified  and  injurioufly  reproached,  he  feldom,  if 
ever  reviled  again  •,  but  committed  himfelf  to  him 
that  judgeth  righteoufly.  He  was  in  a  great  mea- 
fure  dead  to  the  allurements  and  vanities  of  this 
world  ;  looking  down  with  an  holy  contempt,  and 
comparative  difdain  upon  all  thofe  fading  trifles,  thofe 
gilded  nothings,  which  the  men  of  the  world  are  apt 
to  call  great,  rare,  and  excellent.  For  fuch  were 
the  impreffions  of  the  eternal  Majefty  upon  his  mind, 
that  he  habitually  lived,  as  feeing  him  that  is  invi- 
fible:   He  lived  with  a  wile  reference  to  futurity,  and 

maintained  a  ciofe  walk  with  God. He  was   truly 

a  man  of  prayer.  Prayer  was  his  foul's  delight  : 
In  this  precious  exercife  he  was  enabled  to  draw  near 
to  God  upon  the  mod  prefling  emergencies,  and  had 
accefs  with  boldnefs  and  confidence  by  the  blood  of 
Jefus.  He  was  indeed  a  mighty  wreftler  with  Jeho- 
vah. Many  or  you,  my  hearers,  can  teftify  with 
what  holy  fervor  and  devout  affection  he  has  plied 
the  throne  of  grace  for  perifhing  immortals  ;  that 
they  might  be  turned  to  God,  and  made  heirs  of 
falvation.  Though  he  powerfully  preached,  and 
earneftly  denounced  the  terrors  of  the  divine  law 
againft  impenitent  finners;  yet  his  heart's  defire,  and 
moft  rervent  prayer  to  God  was  that  they  might 
be  eternally  fcved. — Praife  was  an  employment 
in  which  his  foul  was  exceedingly  delighted  :  In 
this  exercife  he  often   appeared  to  anticipate  the  fa- 

cred   pleaiures  of  the  upper  world. Friendfhip 

fat  gracefully  upon  his  countenance  •,  he  was  truly 
acquainted  with  all  its  delicacies.  He  had  his  pecu- 
liar iniimates,  and  thofe  moftly  of  a  religious  turn 
of  mind  :  But  he  was  a  friend  to  mankind  in  gene- 
ral ;  and  efpecially  the  poor  man's  friend.  I  am  very- 
far  from  fuppofing  that  even  this  bed  of  men  was 
tree  from  all  imperfections  >   though  I  may  ufe  the 

words 


(    H    ) 

words  of  an  ingenious  divine  in  a  fimiiar  cafe,  and 
fay,  with  him,  iC  I  fhali  think  myfelf  at  once  fup- 
"  ported  by  truth,  and  acquitted  as  doing  juftice 
"  to  the  memory  of  this  truly  great  and  good  man, 
<c  while  I  fay  that  few  of  the  human  race  had  more 
**  excellencies,  attended  with  Ids  defects  than  he." 
But  it  has  pleated  the  righteous  Governor  of  the 
world,  and  wife  difpofer  of  all  things,  to  difmifs; 
this  his  dear  and  faithful  fervant  from  his  painful 
labours  in  his  church  militant  below ;  and  to  join, 
him  to  the  general  aiTembly  of  the  church  of  the  firft- 
born  which  is  triumphing  in  Heaven  above.  He  is 
gone  to  receive  the  reward  of  his  labors,  and  the 
plaudit  of  his  unerring  judge  :    Well    pone   thou 

GOOD  AND  FAITHFUL  SERVANT  :  THOU  HAST  BEEN 
FAITHFUL  OVER  A  FEW  THINGS  ;  I  WILL  MAKE  THEE 
RULER  OVER  MANY  THINGS:  ENTER  THOU  INTO 
THE  JOY  OF  THY  LORD. 

My  brethren,  may  we  not  fuppofe  that  Heaven's 
high  arches  refounded,  with  loud  hallelujahs,  ajid 
anthems  of  praife  to  God  and  the  Lamb,  upon 
Whitefield's  arrival  in  thole  pure  regions  of  eter- 
nal felicity  !  His  work  was  done  ;  and  we  have  good 
reafon  to  believe  it  was  well  done.  He  lived  long 
enough  to  perform  an  excellent  part  on  this  flage  of 
action  ;'  to  exemplify  ajife  of  virtue  and  piety  ;  to 
found  the  gofpel  trumpet  through  almolt  the  whole  of 
ihcBritiJh  empire-,  and  to  gather  in  a  plentiful  harveft 
of  precious  fouls  to  the  Redeemer,  that  fhall  be  as  fo 
many  fparkling  diamonds  in  that  untarnilhed  crown 
of  glory,  which  adorns  his  victorious  brow.  He 
lived  God's  time,  which  is  the  bed  time.  And  God 
continued  him  in  this  world,  long  enough,  to  con- 
vince the  moil  malignant  of  his  enemies,  if  a  feries 
of  uniform  conduct  can  afford  conviction,  that  he 
was  truly  an  upright  and  honed  man.     Bur  notwith- 

Handing 


(       22       ) 

ftanding  all  this,  to  me,  and  doubtlefs  alfo  to  vou, 
my  hearers,  his  early,  his  conftant  friends,  the  tolhng 
bells,  and  this  fable  *  cloth,  have  founded  in  me- 
lancholy accents  of  woe,  Whit  ef eld  is  dead.  T hough 
according  to  his  own  defire,  he  died  a  fudden  deach  ; 
on  the  morning  of  the  Lord's  Day  ;  after  a  week,  as 
well  as  life  fpent  in  painfully  preaching  the  everlaft- 
ing  gofpel,  and  his  death  was  unfpeakably  glorious 
to  himfelf  •,  yet  is  it  an  inexprefllule  lofs  to  the 
Church  of  Chrift  •,  which  is  bereaved  of  one  of  its 
greateft  champions.  It  is  indeed  a  public  lots  that 
we  are  to  lament  in  his  departure  :  A  great  m.-in,--- 
a  good  man,— fullof  theHoly  Ghoft,---andof  faith,— 
who  had  added  much  people  to  the  Lord  ;— who 
loved  Chrift?s  Church  as  his  own  foul  ;-- -is  gone  ! 
Forgive  the  falling  tear,  for  ever  gone,  fro:n  our 
worid,  till  the  morning  of  the  refurrection  !  Mourn, 
O  ye  children  of  Zion  I  Lament  -over  him,  O  ye 
daughters  of  Jerufalem !  with  holy  lamentations, 
over  him,  who  has  often  comforted  your  hearts  with 
the  fame  comfort,  wherewith  his  own  foul  had  been 
comforted.  Mourn,  O  yefons  of  wickednefs !  over 
him  departed,  who  fhed  floods  of  tears  becaufe  of 
your  obduracy,  while  he  was  living.  Let  England, 
Scotland,  and  Ireland  mourn  !  Let  all  the  American 
colonies  join  the  lamentation  :  Let  this  city  be  clad 
in  mourning,  and  this  congregation,  which,  under 
God,  owes  its  origin  to  this  beloved  Servant  of 
Chrift  ;—  let  it  be  clad  in  fable,  and  take  its  place  in 
the  firft  clafs  of  unfeigning  mourners  !  Who  that  has 
any  regard  for  the  profperity  of  poor  Zion,  can  re- 
frain from  tears,  when  we  repeat  the  doleful  found, 
IPhitefield  is  dead  ?  We  may,  we  ought  to  mourn, 
my  brethren  :  But  we  may  not,  we  mud  not  mur- 
mur. We  may  weep  ;  but  not  complain,  left  we 
impeach  the  Divine  conduct,  and  charge  the  Al- 
mighty foolifhly. 

I  ET 
*  Sec  the  AJvcrtifcmcnt,  prefixed  to  this  Difcourfc. 


(      23      ) 

Let  us  blefs  God  for  having  given  this  precious 
gift  to  his  Church,  of  iuch  extenfive  ufefulneis, 
and  fo  long  continued,  a  burning  and  mining  light. 
Lei  us  be  deeply  humbled  under  God's  hand  for  his 
removal.  Above  all,  let  us  improve  to  the  valuable 
purpoies  of  religion,  the  pious  exhortations  he  hath 
fo  frequently  prefTed  upon  us-,  and  carefully  imitate 
the  holy  example,  which  he  hath  exhibited  •,  fo  that 
our  laft  end  may  be  like  his,  which,  we  truft,  is 
peace.  May  God  of  his  abundant  grace,  grant  this  to 
us  all,  through  J  ejus  Chrift  our  Lord.     Amen. 

The  fervice  was  introduced  with  the  fir  ft  following  Hymn 
from  Br.  Waits  •,  and  the  fecond,  from  Mr.  White- 
field'j  collection,  concluded  the  fervice,  being  fung  by 
a  numb.r  of  young  perfons  belonging  to  the  congre*- 
gation. 


H 


A  Funeral  Thought. 

Ark!  from  the  tombs  a  doleful  found, 
My  ears  attend  the  cry, 
"  Ye  living  men,   come  view  the  ground, 
"  Where  you  mud  Ihortly  lie, 

ss  Princes,  this  clay  muil  be  your  bed, 
"  In  fpite  of  all  your  tow'rs  ; 

(S  The  tall,  the  wife,  the  rev'rend  head 
"  Mult  lie  as  low  as  ours." 

Great  God  !    is  this  our  certain  doom  ? 

And  are  we  ftill  fecure  ! 
Still  walking  downward  to  our  tomb, 

And  yet  prepare  no  more  ? 

Grant 


(       24       ) 

Grant  us  the  pow'rs  of  quick  ning  grace, 

To  fit  our  fouls  to  fly  ; 
Then,  when  we  drop  this  dying  flefh, 

We'll  rife  above  the  fky. 

AH  !  lovely  appearance  of  death, 
No  fight  upon  earth  is  fo  fair  : 
Not  all  the  gay  pageants  that  breathe, 

Can  with  a  dead  body  compare. 
With  folemn  delight  I  furvey 

The  corps  when  the  fpirit  is  fled, 
In  love  with  the  beautiful  clay, 
And  longing  to  lie  in  his  ftead. 

How  blefl  is  our  brother,  bereft 

Of  all  that  could  burthen  his  mind  ! 
How  eafy  the  foul,  that  hath  left 

This  wearifome  body  behind  ! 
Of  evil  incapable  thou, 

Whofe  relicks  with  envy  I  fee  ; 
No  longer  is  mifery  now, 

No  longer  a  finner  like  me. 

This  earth  is  affe&ed  no  more 

With  ficknefs,  or  fhaken  with  pain : 
The  war  in  the  Members  is  o'er, 

And  never  fhall  vex  him  again. 
No  anger  henceforward,  or  lhame, 

Shall  redden  this  innocent  clay  ; 
Extinft  is  the  animal  flame, 

And  paflion  is  vanifh'd  away.         This 


(      25      ) 

This  languifhing  head  is  at  reft, 

Its  thinking  and  aching  are  o'er ; 
This  quiet  immoveable  breafl 

Is  heav'd  by  affliftion  no  more  : 
The  heart  is  no  longer  the  feat 

Of  trouble  and  torturing  pain  ; 
It  ceafes  to  flutter  and  beat, 

It  never  fhall  flutter  again. 

The  lids  he  fo  feldom  could  clofe, 

By  forrow  forbidden  to  fleep, 
Seal'd  up  in  eternal  repofe, 

Have  ftrangely  forgotten  to  weep  : 
The  fountains  can  yield  no  fupplies, 

Thofe  hollows  from  water  are  free  ; 
The  Tears  are  all  wip'd  from  thefe  Eyes, 

And  evil  they  never  (ball  fee. 

To  mourn  and  to  fuffer  is  mine, 

While  bound  in  a  prifon  I  breathe, 
And  ftill  for  deliverance  pne, 

And  prefs  to  the  iffues  of  death  : 
What  now  with  my  tears  I  bedew, 

O  might  I  this  moment  become, 
My  fpirit  created  anew, 

My  flefh  be  configned  to  the  tomb  ! 


FIN 


1 


